Study Law In The United Kingdom

Law is one of the popular areas of study for international students. When it comes to the best places to study law, the United Kingdom comes out as a winner.

Why Study Law in the United Kingdom?

The English court system is respected throughout the world, and English law is the first choice for international businesses, leading to large commercial dealings between countries. By choosing to study law in the United Kingdom, you will gain qualifications that get recognized by law firms around the world.

To become a lawyer in the United Kingdom, a candidate must possess excellent critical thinking skills and practical proficiency to help them stand out. The UK law schools keep adapting and updating new course contents to keep up with the times.

The United Kingdom is the home to 4 of the world’s top 10 law firms in terms of the number of lawyers employed. These are multinational corporations with global career opportunities making it an ideal place to start a successful law career.

Types of Law Courses in the United Kingdom

Studying law in the United Kingdom is about understanding the core legal principles and concepts that will enable a graduate to become a successful lawyer.

To start a career in law, one needs to begin with an undergraduate law degree. There are postgraduate options available from here as well.

The two common law degrees available are the Bachelor of Law (LLB) and the Masters of Law (LLM). Apart from these, there are various other degrees to study in the United Kingdom are:

1. Graduate LLB

The Graduate LLB is a two-year program designed for those who hold a (non-law) degree and wish to pursue an undergraduate law degree. Graduate LLB fast-tracks career to a postgraduate law degree.

2. Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

A Graduate Diploma in Law is a one-year full-time law conversion course that provides students with up-to-date legal knowledge. The course is designed for students who have completed their undergraduate degree in a different subject and want to change careers. A GDL combines three years of learning into one.

3. Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

The Bar Professional Training Course is a postgraduate program that allows graduates to practice as barristers in Wales and England.

To be eligible for a BPTC, students must have a bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized United Kingdom university with no less than lower second-class (2:2) honors.

4. Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS)

This program is for lawyers from various countries to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Law Society of England and Wales regulatory oversee the scheme.

Best Universities for Law in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is home to some of the best law schools in the world.

UK Law Schools Entry Requirements 

The entry requirements for law schools in the United Kingdom depend on each university. The required documents for an application may be determined by factors of nationality, previous degree, and academic level. However, there is a list of documents that must be submitted;

• Higher School Qualification (A Levels or equivalent)
• Grades from previous education
• English Language Proficiency
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is partially required (if mandated by the university).

Career prospects for Law graduates

 These are some of the jobs that law graduates can seek:

• Advocate
• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Law Journalist
• Professional Law Counseling
• Law Academic

Additionally, there are different specializations in law to look out for such as Admiralty law, Business law, Constitutional law, Criminal law, Environmental law, Health care law, Intellectual property law, corporate law, and Commercial law.

Cost of Studying Law in the United Kingdom

Tuition fees account for a significant portion of the cost of studying law in the UK. Tuition fees for this course can easily range from £12,000 to £40,000 depending on the university, course demand and reputation, university location, and so on.

Pros and Cons of Studying Law in the United Kingdom

Pros

1. Shorter Programme

One of the benefits of studying law in the UK is the shorter duration of the program. With a bachelor’s degree completed in three years and a master’s degree completed in one year, the UK is an attractive destination for university students.

2. Academic Achievement

Studying abroad and attending a highly-ranked university with an impeccable reputation will improve your academic performance. UK law schools use a curriculum that combines real-life experiences and theoretical knowledge of legal issues to allow students to understand and interpret the law. As a result, graduates will find opportunities that are further afield.

3. English Law is Globally Influential

The common law system evolved from English law and has global influence. Studying it will allow you to gain insights into the chosen subjects and an understanding of other legal systems. Employers prefer to hire law graduates as the United Kingdom is home to the world’s top law schools due to their high-quality teaching at their universities. Law schools in the United Kingdom have a long history of producing some of the world’s most influential and internationally renowned individuals.

Cons

 1. More Efforts

As the study is challenging and the courses are highly focused the time required to complete the education is shorter. Hence the effort required is more when compared to degree courses and other countries. This adds to the students’ workload as they must quickly grasp everything to progress and move ahead.

 2. Academic Adjustments

Moving to a different country and university means you must acknowledge certain possible risks, you must familiarize yourself with the relevant teaching and grading methods of the country you chose to study.

3. Different Legal Jurisdictions

While pursuing education abroad, students get an opportunity to compete in the job market, but due to the different legal jurisdictions in each country, it will be challenging to fit into the labor market.

Conclusion

Studying law in the UK involves hard work, but it also has benefits as English law is a widely accepted and respected law globally.

If you are aspiring to take up a law career, make sure to check out the article. Achieve your study abroad dream with the right mentorship. We at 3rdiconsulting help you decide plan and make your education abroad a success.

If you want to explore and find the perfect fit please get in touch with Kavitta Mehtta at 3RDiConsulting.